Brain in a Vat
Episodes
Michael Huemer on Disobeying the Law
24 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Should you disobey the law, at least some of the time? If justice isn’t simply enforcing the law, then what is it? And what sorts of laws would we h...
Is Nuclear War Ever Justified? | Eron Fasser
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Should certain weapons be banned from use in war? Are there limits on the amount of force countries should use to protect their citizens? Is it ever j...
Plato’s problem with Democracy | Clif Mark
10 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is Democracy the best political system? Plato thought not. But what is the best alternative? Clif Mark, from the podcast Good in Theory, joins us this...
Is it wrong to enjoy good films made by bad people? | Travis Timmerman
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is the art separate from the artist? Can a moral defect in a film undermine its aesthetic quality?
The Power of Imagination | Amy Kind
26 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What would a world without imagination be like? Why do we feel sympathy, fear or excitement for fictional characters? And can imaginary actions be mor...
Where is my mind? | Shaun Stanley
19 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are human being merely sophisticated robots? Do we have mental states or can we be understood only through our behavior?
Should You Trust Experts? | Oliver Traldi
12 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There's a growing trend to distrust scientists. Sometimes they get the facts wrong, or align with a political party. What should we do in the face of ...
How To End Global Poverty | Andy Kuper
05 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy Kuper, the founder and CEO of LeapFrog Investments, tells us how his PHD in philosophy led him to marry profit with purpose, by creating investme...
Cryonics: who wants to live forever? | Francesca Minerva
29 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is cryonics a viable route to immortality? Is immortality desirable, or would it present us with endless boredom and meaninglessness?
Addiction | Daniel Hochman
22 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is being addicted to love or chocolate the same as being addicted to cocaine?
Death | Travis Timmerman
15 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Would it be better to live forever than to die? Is the goodness or badness of death dependent on the future quality of our lives? Is death so bad that...
When should you forgive? | Brandon Warmke
08 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is forgiveness, and when is it appropriate? What does it mean to apologize to a group of people, and for that group to forgive? Is forgiveness ev...
John Rawls: Justice as Fairness | Paul Weithman
01 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
John Rawls is widely regarded as the greatest modern liberal philosopher. Does his theory of justice lead to a fair society? Contact us: ...
Do the ends justify the means? | Alastair Norcross
25 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Should you sacrifice one innocent person to save many? Can you justify killing one annoying politician to save millions of people from suffering a min...
What Is Madness? | Justin Garson
18 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is 'mental disorder' purely a dysfunction, or are there important advantages to being psychologically different? Do depression and anxiety serve a vit...
Is it okay to be a slacker? | Alison Suen
11 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What makes Hollywood slackers like The Dude so enchanting? Are slackers the unsung heroes of the pandemic, or a bunch of useless bums? Re...
What Offends You? | Mark Oppenheimer
04 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Should we ban offensive speech? Should we tolerate racism and transphobia? Should everything that is immoral also be illegal?
Is evil real? | Spencer Case
27 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is murder wrong? Can evolution fully explain why we think certain actions are immoral? And can we believe moral truths with even greater certainty tha...
What if? | Peg Tittle
20 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What if you navigated the world through echo location instead of sight? What if cats could gain all of the traits of humans? What if you were a brain ...
What Is Happiness? | Shane Gronholz
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What makes your life go well? Can you be wrong about whether you are happy? And can happiness be bad for you?
Trans, Sex, and Gender | Kathleen Stock
06 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is sex only a matter of biology? Are there conflicts between trans rights, women's rights, and gay rights? Is it possible to change genders? Bu...
Do Social Groups Exist? | Jason Werbeloff
30 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What transforms a collection of individuals into a social group? Jason Werbeloff argues the answer is: nothing. There are no social groups. No countri...
12 Mind Blowing Thought Experiments
23 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What can a runaway train, a patient wrapped head to toe in bandages, and man condemned by the gods to roll a rock for eternity teach us about leading ...
The Dangers of Thought Experiments | Roy Sorensen
16 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are thought experiments useful for telling us about the nature of reality? What are the limitations of thought experiments, and should we trust them i...
Is Morality Real? | Shaun Stanley
09 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Should we care whether we cause others suffering? Do we have duties or obligations to others? Shaun Stanley thinks there are no moral reasons for acti...
The Danger of Wokeness | Helen Zille
02 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many believe Woke ideology to be a source of positive change in society. Helen Zille thinks otherwise. Could Wokeness be dangerous? You can find...
The Second Sexism | David Benatar
25 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are there some areas of life where men are worse off than women? Are these disadvantages always the product of sexism? If we recognize a second sexism...
Wittgenstein's Poker | David Edmonds
18 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
David Edmonds of Philosophy Bites fame regales us with a fiery story about Ludwig Wittgenstein's only meeting with Karl Popper. David also gives us a ...
Hate Speech and Pornography | Mari Mikkola
11 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is hate speech, and what are the limits of free speech? Should pornography be censored in the same way we censor speech? Mari's Book: http...
Animal Welfare | Bob Fischer
04 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are some animals more equal than others? Do zoos protect animals or are they solely designed for our amusement? Should we test medicines on animals?
Who should you believe? | Chris Ranalli
28 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In a polarized world where everyone is certain, who should you believe? Are certain beliefs immoral? And how seriously should we take conspiracy theor...
Can God Right Past Wrongs? | Sam Lebens
21 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Would a just God allow us to suffer? Could God rewrite history to remove the bad bits? Contact us: Mark.Oppenheimer[at]gmail and Jwerbe[a...
Anarchy & Socialism | Mark Lance
14 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Can we construct a society free of state coercion and inequality? Is there a place for Capitalism in that society? Contact us: Mark.Oppenheimer...
What is the Value of Philosophy? | Justin Weinberg
07 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are there certain questions that should never be asked? Is Philosophy useful? And have philosophers made any progress in answering the BIG questions? ...
So You've Been Publicly Shamed | Rebecca Tuvel
28 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What can we learn about public shaming from the Black Mirror episodes Hated in the Nation and Nosedive? Are there ever cases where someone deserves to...
Nietzsche: Morality is Dead | Brian Leiter
21 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If God is dead, did morality die with him? Are artists, writers and lovers more valuable than the rest of us mere mortals? Find out what Friedrich Nie...
Stephen King and Philosophy | Jacob Held
14 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is horror, and why do some of us willingly terrify ourselves by watching or reading the genre? Is horror poor quality fiction, or can it offer us...
Is Academic Freedom Under Threat? | Spencer Case
07 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are universities a safe space for dangerous ideas? Does a right to academic freedom guarantee a culture that tolerates controversial views? Should uni...
Which God Should You Believe in? | Eron Fasser
31 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are all Gods created equal? Are certain divine attributes less likely to be real given that multiples faiths exist? Are religions like different...
Is Abortion Immoral? | Nathan Nobis
24 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Does a fetus have a right to life? Should there be any limitations on the choices that a woman makes over her own body? Nathan's book: ht...
The Argument for Anarchism
17 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Anarchism, or the view that we should not have a government, seems impractical. But Michael Huemer believes there is a way to understand Anarchism tha...
Face Blindness with Jeff Waters
10 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What's it like to be unable to recognize faces? 2% of the population have a neurological condition called prosopagnosia, or face blindness - including...
Tenet Explained
03 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Christopher Nolan's Tenet is a visual feast, but does it make any sense? Eron Fasser explains if you can you time travel to change the past and if Nei...
The Future of Brain in a Vat
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A round up of our favorite episodes and some insight into how we make the show. We will be on a hiatus until January. Let us know in the YouTube comme...
Brian Leiter: The Supreme Court
29 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is the Supreme Court merely a political body made up of warring liberals and conservatives? Should Judges apply laws that are unjust? Will the Supreme...
Thad Metz: Meaning in Life
22 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What makes life worth living? How valuable are truth, beauty and morality? If life is ultimately meaningless from the perspective of the universe is n...
Do You Have Free Will? With Mark Leon
15 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is it possible for your actions to be free, even if they are determined? And would an indeterministic universe make us any freer? If we don't have fre...
Does Your Vote Count? With Jacob Bauer
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If your vote has only a tiny chance of influencing the outcome of an election, is it irrational to vote? Does voting grant legitimacy to repugnant can...
Black Mirror, Virtual Sex and Trans with Rebecca Tuvel
01 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is virtual sex outside of a relationship cheating? How should we determine a person's gender? Should the same rules apply to race? Rebecca's art...
#2000andlate in 2020 Hindsight
25 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We have a philosophical conversation with an artist about her latest exhibition. Dom's paintings explore the social and sexual mores of the last twent...
Do You Have a Soul? With Tyron Goldschmidt
18 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are you just a physical body? If you have a brain transplant do you stay with your original body or move with your brain? Could the existence of an im...
Should Robots Have Rights? With Rob Sparrow
11 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is it wrong to destroy an AI if it can have a conversation with a human being? If a robot expresses suffering is it wrong to torture it? Should we mou...
Should We Save The Polar Bears? With Yolandi Coetzee
04 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are some animals more equal than others? Are game reserves a part of nature if they are man made? Is global warming universally bad or does it b...
[Bonus] Mark Oppenheimer²
27 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Atom bombs, diamond billionaires, and hate mail have a special role to play in this bonus episode. Brain in a Vat Store: smarturl.it/Lockd...
Mark Oppenheimer²: The Limits Of Free Speech?
27 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is cancel culture destroying our institutions? Should Holocaust deniers have the right to speak? What is hate speech, and should it be illegal? Brain ...
Let's Talk About Sex With Raja Halwani
20 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is it wrong to only have a sexual preference for certain races? Can you have sex without being objectified? Is there a moral limit on our sexual fanta...
David Benatar: The Meaning of Life
13 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What does it all mean? If we live on a pail blue dot in a vast and uncaring universe can our lives have cosmic meaning? Is it better never to have bee...
Should You Volunteer To Get Covid? With Dustin Crummett
06 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Could purposely infecting volunteers with the Coronavirus help us reach herd immunity or develop a vaccine more rapidly? Is it wrong to expose people ...
Gorgeous or Grotesque? With Amanda Ballen
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Can you be revolted and attracted to the same person? Can concepts be beautiful? Does art need to create sensations to be enjoyed? IMDB: h...
Crime and Punishment With Doug Husak
23 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who deserves to be punished? Should the State kill killers and rape rapists? Should we abolish the police and the prison system? Facebook...
Is Cultural Relativism Racist? With Justin Kalef
16 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Culturals groups have different beliefs about what is morally right and wrong. Does a tolerant outlook mean that we should accept these different beli...
What is Love? With Raja Halwani
09 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is love everlasting? Can we love more than one person at the same time? Do we choose our lovers for the wrong reasons? http://rajasmusingsconfu...
Are You Evil?
02 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is it wrong to root for the bad guy in a horror movie? Is evil a matter of who you are or what you do? What makes an action supremely evil? Facebook G...
What's Wrong with Moral Grandstanding? With Brandon Warmke
26 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What do Greta Thunberg, #BLM and #Metoo have in common? Are these moralising quests to end climate change, racism and sexism motivated by the will to ...
Is it wrong to eat meat? With Dustin Crummet
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Were you outraged when Cecil the lion was killed by a hunter? Are you against rhino poaching? Do you order extra bacon with your cheese burger? Are so...
Graham Oppy: Does God Exist?
12 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Can God exist if the world is filled with suffering? And are there compelling arguments for or against God's existence? Facebook Group: https://www.fa...
Should Offensive Art be Banned? With Elisa Galgut
05 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is art? Why is art valuable? If enough people feel hurt by a piece of art or public monument, should we hide or destroy the work? Facebook Group:...
Peter Boghossian: How to Have Impossible Conversations
28 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"Defund the police. Violent protests are justified. Anyone against Black Lives Matter is a Nazi." How would you engage with these views? We ask Peter ...
Do You Live in a Simulation? With Kenny Pearce
21 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Do you live in a simulation? And if you do, could you live a valuable life? We talk with Kenny Pearce this week to find out. Read Ke...
Does Race Exist? With Shaun Stanley
14 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Does the colour of your skin, the texture of your hair, or the shape of your nose make you part of a racial group? Is race a social construct based on...
Does Tuvix Deserve to Die?
07 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When Tuvok and Neelix accidentally merge into a single man in a transporter accident, Captain Janeway has to make a tough decision: Should she kill ...
Is the Lockdown Lawful? With Martin van Staden
31 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are lockdown regulations lawful? Do we have a duty to obey the law? What if the law is immoral, contradictory or unknowable? The famous philosopher ...
Time Travel and The Grandfather Paradox with Helen Robertson
24 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine you build a time machine. Is it possible for you to travel back in time, meet your grandfather before he produces any children, and kill him? ...
Belief, Faith, and Hope with Liz Jackson
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Your brother has been missing for months and there is mounting evidence that he is dead. Is it rational to hope that he is alive and keep searching fo...
Lost in Translation with Shaun Stanley
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Language is ambiguous at the best of times, think about how much gets lost in translation. Imagine hearing a tribesman in a remote land utter the word...
The Value of Human Life with Eron Fasser
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What can eating Marilyn Monroe's thigh and the pain of teenage heartbreak tell us about the value of human life? We discuss what makes life worth livi...
The Veil of Ignorance and Justice in a Lockdown
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
John Rawls thought we needed to wear a veil of ignorance to remove our biases before deciding on the rules of a just society. Are his ideas useful in ...
Lockdown: A Trolley Problem
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
An out-of-control trolley is rumbling toward five innocent people trapped on a track. You can divert the trolley onto another track by pulling a switc...